Name:  Angela Spickard 
Hometown:  Lincoln, Illinois
Academic Background:  Attended Western Illinois University, Majored in Zoology and Spanish, Minored in Chemistry

Healthcare Background:  Enlisted in an Illinois Army National Guard Medical Unit for 6 years; volunteered at a local hospital; attended an EMT-B and PHTLS course.   

Professional Goals:  My goal is to receive my PA-C and contribute to the healthcare field.  I am keeping my mind open to any field of specialty, but I am especially interested in preventive medicine.

Name:  April D. Smith
Hometown: Etna Green, Indiana
Academic Background: B.S. Biology / chemistry minor from Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC

Healthcare Background: CNA at Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, IN

Professional Goals: My immediate goal is, of course, to become a PA-C, though I have not yet narrowed down to a particular field.  I plan to do that after I begin my clinical year.  My husband and I would like to be involved in short term missions trips by using our vacation time to go over seas and help set up clinics in areas with little or no medical care.

Name:  Brent Pearman
Hometown: Georgetown, Illinois
Academic Background: B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, M.S. in Kinesiology from Indiana University, Bloomington.

Healthcare Background: 5 Years as a Certified Athletic Trainer working college athletics at Indiana University and Illinois State University.

Professional Goals:  My primary interest is in orthopedics & sports medicine.  If the opportunity arises to work in another field that interests me, I am always ready for a challenge.  I also plan to live, love, and be happy.

Name:  Brooke Kutka
Hometown: Fresno, California
Academic Background: BA in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley

Healthcare Background: Following graduation, I worked in a systems neurobiology lab at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, CA.  We examined the function of the retina in order to contribute to the development of vision prosthetics.  I also volunteered in the CCU and participated with several medical outreaches to Mexico.

Professional Goals:  I hope to build relationships with my patients.  The type of patient, practice, and setting are still up for grabs.  I am fully confident my time spent at Saint Francis will provide such direction. 

Name:  Bryan C. Umberg
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Academic Background: Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from the University of Saint Francis

Healthcare Background: Worked as a Patient Care Assistant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Private home aid for a teenager with Autism, and a young woman who was bedridden.

Professional Goals: Within 27 months I hope to be a practicing Certified Physician Assistant.  Although open to whatever I may fall in love with, in regards to clinical rotations, my main interests are in Orthopedics, Cardiology, and Emergency Medicine.  I look forward to a rewarding career and life as a Certified Physician Assistant.

Name:  Carolyn Valois
Hometown: Tinley Park, Illinois
Academic Background: B.S. Biology, B.A. Chemistry from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL.

Healthcare Background: I received my certification as an EMT-B in 2002, worked in an ER for 3 years on the south side of Chicago as an ER tech, as well as floated to a trauma center and urgent aid as a tech during that time.

Professional Goals: My goal is to become a PA-C and hopefully work in a challenging atmosphere to put my skills and newly found knowledge to good use!

Name:  Cheryl L. Kiel
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Academic Background: BS Medical Technology from University of St Francis and BS in Business Administration from University of St Francis

Healthcare Background: Medical Technologist at Caylor Nickel Medical Center in Bluffton, IN for 6 months; American Red Cross for 19 years. Areas included quality control and regulatory compliance, viral testing, implementing new viral marker assays and performing viral testing (HIV, HBsAg, HCV and HTLV-1), performed antibody/antigen screening for pre-transfusion work-ups on hospital patients along with supervising both the chemistry and processing laboratories.

Professional Goals:  My main goal is to successfully complete the PA program while learning as much as possible to become an excellent clinician. Once I graduate and pass the boards I would like to work in the public health arena or in a public health care clinic.

Name:  Christopher D. Belschner
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Academic Background:  B.S. in Biology, A.S. in Chemistry and M.S. in Biology from Purdue University.

Healthcare Background: Rehabilitation Aide at Fort Wayne Orthopedics for 3 years.  Medical Technologist at Saint Joseph’s Hospital for 4 ½ years.  Research Assistant at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne for 1 year.

Professional Goals: My interests include orthopedics, cardiology, emergency medicine and research.  However, I am keeping my options open to other rewarding opportunities that may arise throughout my academic career.

Name:  Christopher Kemp
Hometown: Wilmington, North Carolina
Academic Background: BS in Biology with minor in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Healthcare Background: Paramedic in Wilmington for 5 years. I have been in emergency medical services for 6 years. Taught portions of paramedic classes in Wilmington.

Professional Goals: My goal is to be a personable and dedicated PA-C in a field which challenges me to use my skills and knowledge to its highest potential. I have an interest in cardiology, emergency medicine, and surgery however further interests may evolve during my clinical rotations so I’m still open minded.

Name:  David Daugherty
Hometown:  Scott, Ohio
Academic Background: BA Anderson University, 1994, Majoring in Athletic Training

Healthcare Background: Clinical Athletic Trainer/ Orthopedic Technologist for 10 years at Orthopaedics Northeast, Fort Wayne, IN

Professional Goals:  To take my skills that I have developed in the clinical setting to a higher level as a Certified Physician Assistant.

Name:  Emily Ottenweller
Hometown: Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Academic Background: Bachelor degree in Nutrition Science with a minor in Biology from Indiana University

Healthcare Background: EMT-B certified.  Worked at a Family Medicine and Urgent Care facility as a Medical Assistant for one year.

Professional Goals: To obtain a position as a PA in a field that I enjoy.  I would also love to volunteer my skills a few times a month at a free clinic to help the community that I live in.

Name:  Erin Frazier
Hometown: Fishers, Indiana
Academic Background: I graduated with a B.S in Biology from Indiana University in 2006.  I also minored in Psychology, Chemistry, and Social Science in Medicine.

Healthcare Background: I started by becoming EMT certified at I.U. and then volunteering at Bloomington Hospital.  I became an ER tech at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis for about 2 years.  I have also traveled to Honduras to provide health education and medical supplies.

 Professional Goals: I know that I definitely want to work with kids, primarily in Oncology, in a children’s cancer hospital, like St. Jude.  I also want to continue visiting countries with struggling healthcare systems and help provide medical care and education.

Name: Holly Pilewski
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
Academic Background: B.S. in Kinesiology with an Exercise Science major and Spanish minor – Indiana University

Healthcare Background: Nurse Tech and Lab Tech for 2 years at Promptcare Urgent Care Center and Occupational Health Center.  Certified phlebotomist.

 Professional Goals: To become a certified PA-C.  Currently, I am interested in geriatrics, orthopedics, and emergency medicine but I am keeping my options open.  I would also like to work in an underserved community for a few years.

Name:  Jennifer Ann Braun
Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky
Academic Background: I attended the University of Kentucky and received a B.S. in Psychology and minored in Biology

Healthcare Background: I worked as a phlebotomist from 2002-2006 which afforded me the ability to perform other various tasks such as taking vitals and preliminary histories.

Professional Goals: I plan to receive my PA-C from the University of St. Francis. I have not yet decided on a specific focus in health care, as they all excite me.

Name:  Jeremiah Stewart
Hometown: Anderson, Indiana
Academic Background: I graduated from Ball State University in 2005 with a bachelor degree in Pre-Medicine.

Healthcare Background: I worked as an O.R. Aide for a summer at Community Hospital in Anderson before I began my undergrad.  I then worked as a phlebotomy tech at Ball Memorial Hospital for three years during my stay at Ball State.

Professional Goals: For right now I am just focused on becoming a PA.  As for the future, I would love to work in a surgical specialty; however, I would like to keep my options open during our clinical rotations to see what is out there.

Name:  Julie Gabet
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Academic Background: I graduated with a bachelor of art in biology with a minor in psychology in May of 2006 from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

Healthcare Background:  During my summer and winter breaks of my undergraduate years, I was employed as a clinical clerk at Orthopaedics Northeast, Fort Wayne, IN, with responsibility of assisting nurses, PA’s, physicians with patient care.

Professional Goals: I would like to gain comprehensive knowledge and competency in various specialty areas through clinical rotations in anticipation of finding employment in that specialty area which interest me the most. At this point, I am learning towards orthopedics but am open to many opportunities.

Name: Kari Hueni
Hometown: Bremen, Indiana
Academic Background: B.S. in Biology from Grace College (2006)

Healthcare Background: I worked as a student athletic trainer for college athletes, volunteered several years providing care and counseling for women at a pregnancy care center, and volunteered my time doing physical therapy with an autistic child. 

Professional Goals: I am pursuing my Masters of Physician Assistant to become a PA-C. I plan to decide on a specific area of practice following completion of my rotations. I am very open to several fields and look forward to finding where I can serve best.

Name:  Meghan Haley
Hometown: Oak Harbor, Ohio
Academic Background: Graduated in 2001 from Bowling Green State University with a B.S. in Biology. 

Healthcare Background:  I worked at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo as a Patient Care Assistant in the volume influx pool, floating wherever I was needed, but mostly concentrating on the adult floors.  I also had an internship with the American Red Cross where I taught and certified people in CPR and First Aid.

Professional Goals:   After graduation from USF I hope to be a certified Physician Assistant and work in either a family practice or pediatric setting, however at this time I am keeping my options completely open until after our clinical rotations.

Name:  Meredith Woodard
Hometown: Carbondale, Illinois
Academic Background: I graduated in 2006 with a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry minor from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Healthcare Background: I worked for two Orthodontists for a summer in Carbondale.  I have also done some job shadowing in several different areas and volunteered for two summers at Carbondale Memorial Hospital.

Professional Goals: To become a certified Physician Assistant.  I am not sure which area I want to specialize in, but I am looking forward to completing my clinical rotations to figure out which field I am most passionate about.

Name: Nicholas Warnecke
Hometown: Delphos, Ohio
Academic Background: B.A. in Zoology for Premed from Miami University with a neuroscience minor.

Healthcare Background: Numerous shadowing experiences with an emphasis in surgery. I volunteered extensively at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Ohio. I completed the certification process to become a State Certified Nurses Assistant (nurses aide).

Professional Goals: Finish my master’s degree at St. Francis and become a PA-C. Right now my interest lies with surgery either cardiac or orthopaedic. However, I am not limiting myself to those interests but remain open to other options that might arise as I progress further with my career in academics and medicine.

Name:  Patrick A. Macknick
Hometown: Angola, Indiana
Academic Background: Bachelor of Science from Tri-State University, with a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

Healthcare Background: Worked for a year and a half as a Mental Health Technician at an inpatient psychiatric hospital.  Earned certification as an EMT-B.

Professional Goals: To become a PA-C.  At this point, my professional interests include neurology, surgery, and cardiology.  However, I am looking forward to learning about  new and different aspects of medicine as I move into my clinical year.

Name:  Theodore Crowden Hicks
Hometown: Atlanta, Indiana
Academic Background: Graduated from DePauw University in May of 2006 with a B.A. in Kinesiology (Athletic Training) with a minor in Philosophy.

Healthcare Background:  Received EMT certification in February of 2004; Athletic Training Certified in August 2006.

Professional Goals:  Eventually I would like to obtain my PA-C and work with an Orthopedic surgeon in the Indianapolis area and do my best to benefit my patients and community.

Name:  Trina Brashear
Hometown: Tucumcari, New Mexico
Academic Background: B.S. Biology, Chemistry Minor, Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, FL

Healthcare Background: During college, I worked as an office assistant for a D.O. and N.P., doing general office work, as well as performing some nursing duties such as patient histories, vital signs and aiding in minor surgical procedures.  I also obtained a phlebotomy certificate after graduation from college.

Professional Goals:   Right now, I am interested in going into OB/GYN.  However, I will know more about what specialty I want to go into after I’m finished with my clinical rotations.